No concussion symptoms for Eagles' Nnamdi Asomugha after collision in practice

By Zach Berman, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: August 15, 2012

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Nnamdi Asomugha was carted off the practice field Monday after a collision with safety Nate Allen left the Eagles cornerback with a lacerated lip and a sore neck.

Asomugha had no concussion symptoms Monday night, according to a team spokesman.

The injury occurred during seven-on-seven drills. Quarterback Michael Vick threw a deep pass to DeSean Jackson while the defensive backs played a cover-2 scheme. Asomugha and Allen came from opposite directions, and Asomugha's helmet hit Allen's chest. Allen had the wind knocked out of him, but Asomugha remained on the ground for a few minutes.

"I didn't see him laying there until I got up and got myself together," Allen said. "But he was talking."

The players on the sideline and fans in the crowd went silent after the hit. Asomugha eventually was helped up and walked to a cart with medical personnel. His jersey appeared bloodied, with the red blotches extending all the way down to the "24" on the front.

Allen was able to resume practicing and did not miss any time. Joselio Hanson and Brandon Hughes filled in for Asomugha with the first-team defense.

Allen said Asomugha, 31, was smiling and talking on the field after the collision. He called the crash "friendly fire."

Jackson, the intended receiver, was not involved. It was the most violent collision of the three-week training camp.

"I saw [Asomugha], but I figured when you're out there, you're just playing fast and things happen; you collide sometimes," Allen said. "But you've got to go for the ball. You can't dodge each other."